1
as in moody
frequently influenced by moods and especially bad moods
one of those temperamental actresses who can make life difficult for everyone around her
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
stock prices have been pretty temperamental lately, often fluctuating wildly
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of temperamental
Cooper has occasionally spoken about his time in Alaska throughout the series, including mention of his temperamental T-45d power armor, a flawed early design that preceded the T-60 (worn by Max’s West Coast Brotherhood in the Fallout show) and the T-51b (yet to be seen in live action).
—
Jack King, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
His childhood best friend and sometimes-lover, Rachel Mizler (Odessa A’zion), gets swept up in his hijinks, as does his temperamental foil of a friend, Wally (Tyler the Creator).
—Alexandra Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026
Affectionate Venus and temperamental Mars in Capricorn oppose the moon, escalating our moodiness and sentiments.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 1 Jan. 2026
Except for a lithic crevice that jags through the composition, and a complementary bit of green-and-yellow Mardi Gras coloring, this is a portrait of a temperamental hue.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for temperamental
Jack King, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
His childhood best friend and sometimes-lover, Rachel Mizler (Odessa A’zion), gets swept up in his hijinks, as does his temperamental foil of a friend, Wally (Tyler the Creator).
—Alexandra Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026
Affectionate Venus and temperamental Mars in Capricorn oppose the moon, escalating our moodiness and sentiments.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 1 Jan. 2026
Except for a lithic crevice that jags through the composition, and a complementary bit of green-and-yellow Mardi Gras coloring, this is a portrait of a temperamental hue.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for temperamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temperamental
Adjective
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Take a moment today to thank the people who keep us informed about our fickle and moody Texas weather.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
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The pictures also showed Madonna playing a drum while her children partied in the background; Stella and Estere giving the camera a moody look; Madonna and Akeem with their arms around each other; the three sisters striking a pose in a hallway; and a family photo with Madonna and her five kids.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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His Roc Nation entertainment company has partnered with the NFL to produce the Super Bowl Halftime Shows since 2019 and is responsible for the politically volatile but culturally momentous choice to bring Bad Bunny to the stage Sunday.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
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That also includes the lives of our officers when faced with armed juveniles in volatile situations.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Intuition without reflection can become impulsive.—
Malana VanTyler,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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Midmonth, your dreams will demand discipline, but by late February, impatience will spark impulsive moves that could ripple through your finances and alliances.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This delay has raised concerns about the safety of robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles operating in unpredictable environments.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
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This is ideal for decades of sliding across the ice, because bigger mineral grains are more likely to get plucked out by the ice, leaving holes in the surface that could cause unpredictable behavior.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This is clear on entry, as the exhibition floor itself is turned into a series of unstable ramps that rise and fall, echoing the references to the promises and disappointments of modern life that permeate the show.—
K. Desbouis,
Artforum,
6 Feb. 2026
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Like all successful paranoid art, the core of the story is unstable.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Temperamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temperamental. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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